News

March 20, 2008

Park Hills Man Wins Half of $1.7 Million Lotto Jackpot

A Park Hills man plans to share his good fortune after winning half of the $1.7 million Missouri Lottery Lotto jackpot for the March 12 drawing. David "Dave" Steffl, 66, was one of two winners for the drawing. Each will receive $850,000 before taxes if they choose the annuity and $425,000 before taxes if they choose the lump sum payment.
"I thought it was $850 when I checked it last night," Steffl said when he claimed his prize on March 14. He went on to explain that his friends were bringing him to the Lottery’s St. Louis regional office to claim his prize when they told him that someone from Park Hills had won $850,000. Steffl asked them to stop so he could double-check his numbers, and he learned that he had won the $850,000 prize.
Steffl said he had been just as excited when he thought he had won $850.
"I got so flustered when I thought I won $850," Steffl said. "I had stopped to put $20 in gas in the car, and I was so excited that I forgot to pay for the gas. I had to go back later when I realized that I hadn’t paid for it."
It was the next day before Steffl learned that his prize was worth much more.
"I was crying and laughing," Steffl said of realizing his prize was actually worth $850,000.
Steffl purchased his ticket at Casey’s, 601 N. St. Joe Dr. in Park Hills.
"I won $20 on Scratchers," Steffl explained. "I used $10 for dinner that night and spent the other $10 on Scratchers and Lotto tickets."
Steffl matched all six numbers to win the jackpot prize. The other jackpot ticket for the March 12
Lotto drawing was sold at Casey’s, 2520 Range Line St. in Columbia. The winning numbers were: 1, 8, 17, 23, 27 and 37. Steffl used Quick Pick to let the computer select his numbers.
Steffl plans to use his prize money to purchase a new vehicle and to make a donation to his church’s camp for at-risk children. He also plans to "remember friends" who are important to him and help out his daughters.
In addition to Steffl’s prize, Casey’s in Park Hills will receive a check equal to 1 percent of the prize amount, which is $8,500, for selling the winning ticket.
Steffl’s prize is the 173rd Lotto jackpot and the 248th overall jackpot since the Lottery began in 1986.